Project Protector: Protecting New Zealand's interests at sea and across the region.
Vessel Information
Vessel Name Region Affiliated with Status
MRV CANTERBURY Christchurch/Canterbury In Active Service
OPV(1) OTAGO Dunedin/Otago/Southland In Active Service
OPV(2) WELLINGTON Wellington In Active Service
IPV(1) ROTOITI Napier/Hawkes Bay In Active Service
IPV(2) HAWEA Greymouth/Wesport/West Coast In Active Service
IPV(3) PUKAKI Nelson/Marborough In Active Service
IPV(4) TAUPO Whangerei/Northland In Active Service
Project Protector fleet requirements were outlined in the 2002 Maritime Forces Review, conducted by Defence in close cooperation with MFAT, the Ministry of Fisheries, Customs, Treasury, the Maritime Safety Authority, and Police among others. In mid-2004 a study was undertaken in conjunction with the Civilian Agencies to decide the number of vessels and fleet mix necessary.
The Project Protector vessels' capabilities include sealift, coastal and offshore patrol, and at-sea training for the RNZN. New Zealand's approach to the Protector ships, that they are designed, built and maintained to commercial standards, is consistent with other contemporary navies.
In April 2004, the Australian firm Tenix Defence Pty Ltd was chosen as the prime contractor for the Project Protector patrol vessels and multi-role vessel for the RNZN. On Thursday 29 July 2004 the Minister of Defence signed the contract with Tenix and they began the final detailed design phase for the new ships before the first steel was cut early in 2005.
The Sealift and Amphibious Support Vessel - HMNZS Canterbury
Image Left: View of HMNZS Canterbury bow on (3D Drawing)
Image Right: HMNZS Canterbury sails in to her home port for the first time (MC 07-0245-16).
Key dates for HMNZS Canterbury
- Launched on the Sunday 11th of February 2007.
- Commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy on Thursday 12 of June 2007.
- Arrived in New Zealand on the 29th of June 2007.
See the current information on HMNZS Canterbury
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) - HMNZS Otago & Wellington
Image Left: Aerial View of an OPV (3D Drawing)
Image Right: Otago in the slipway.
HMNZS Otago was Launched Saturday 18 of November 2006
See the current information on HMNZS Otago
Wellington was launched on Saturday 27th of October 2007
See the current information on Wellington
Four IPVs have been built and launched at Whangarei, to conduct maritime surveillance in support of civil agencies in the area from the shoreline to approx 200 nautical miles. The total requirement is for about 950 sea days annually. Tasks in the northern half of our EEZ (north of and including the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman Bay) are almost all inshore, with relatively constant levels of activity during the year. The Inshore Patrol Vessels are based on a Tenix-designed Search and Rescue vessel in service with the Philippines Coast Guard.
See the current information on Rotoiti
Key dates for Hawea
- Launched on the Tuesday 11 December 2007.
- Naming ceremony Saturday, 15 December 2007.
See the current information on Hawea